Tablet devices purchased to help patients speak to loved ones

Patients can now speak to their loved ones from their hospital beds thanks to 70 tablet devices which have been purchased for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG).

The Health Tree Foundation (HTF) – the hospital’s official charity – has been able to buy the tablets at a cost of more than £12,000 thanks to funds raised by Grimsby Carpet Warehouse (GCW) and PD Ports. GCW has raised nearly £20,000 through a fundraising appeal and the remaining money will be used to improve staff areas.

The devices will be distributed to every ward across the three hospital sites (Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole) and the Patient Experience Team and volunteers will be helping patients and staff to use them to connect with family and friends.

Charity manager Clare Woodard said: “We are very grateful to Grimsby Carpet Warehouse and PD Ports for providing the funds for these tablets. Patients will be able to benefit from speaking to their loved ones at this difficult time and this will be a huge comfort for them.”

The charity is also benefiting from funds made available through the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. This money can be used on improvements for staff, patients and volunteers.

Staff wellbeing packs containing fruit, cereal bars, chocolate, drinks and crisps amongst other items have been distributed across the three hospital sites and to community staff as part of this grant.

The charity also received a request for six hairdryers which were delivered to our staff in theatres and ITU to make getting out of all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) easier.

As well as this, 1,000 ice creams for staff were delivered in less than 24 hours to all three sites over the warm Easter weekend.

The grant money will also be used to enhance staff areas and the charity will be helping to create ‘wobble rooms’, which are specially-designed spaces where staff can take time out away from the hectic wards.

HTF is also looking at ways of extending the hospital radio to reach more areas to help staff morale and patient wellbeing.